Question 1

Can I get a CAR tourist visa on arrival?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The UK, France and Canada all state a visa is required before travel, and France notes penalties of 200,000 FCFA can be demanded locally if you arrive without a previously obtained visa.

Question 2

How much does the tourist visa cost and how long is it valid?

Accepted Answer

The Paris forms price court sejour at 80 EUR for 1-30 days and 160 EUR for 30-45 days, plus 20 EUR for express processing. Confirm the applicable band with the responsible post before paying, since France Diplomatie describes court, moyen and long sejour bands and amounts vary by post.

Question 3

Is the online filing alone enough, without sending documents?

Accepted Answer

No. You must print the validated online filing or the completed paper form and send it with your passport, 2 photos and all supporting pieces to the embassy (or file in person). If you want the visa returned by post, include a stamped self-addressed envelope sent via CHRONOPOST.

Question 4

Is there a standalone business visa?

Accepted Answer

France Diplomatie states there is no visa labelled affaires as such: business travel uses the court, moyen or long sejour bands. File under the Affaires motif with the matching duration band and confirm the band with the post.

Question 5

Does the application go through the Foreign Ministry first?

Accepted Answer

France Diplomatie states business visa requests are first addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Central Africans Abroad before transmission to the responsible CAR embassy. Allow extra lead time beyond the embassy handling itself.

Question 6

Can I use the 80 EUR court-sejour fee for a 2-month business trip?

Accepted Answer

No. The Paris forms price court sejour at 80 EUR (1-30 days) or 160 EUR (30-45 days), express +20 EUR. Longer business stays fall under the long-sejour tariff (Paris: 300 EUR for 45-90 days). Confirm the band locally.

Question 7

Prive, Vacances or Affaires - which motif applies to visiting relatives?

Accepted Answer

Use the Affaires route with a mission order for business, the Vacances route with the tourism-ministry attestation for tourism, and this Prive route for family or private hospitality. The Travail motif is for work.

Question 8

What proves a private visit?

Accepted Answer

Provide the host invitation with the host address in CAR, plus your flight ticket and accommodation details. Carry the originals for border checks alongside the visa, passport and yellow-fever certificate.

Question 9

What if the family stay exceeds 45 days?

Accepted Answer

Court sejour Paris pricing is 80 EUR (1-30 days) or 160 EUR (30-45 days), express +20 EUR. For stays of 45-90 days use the long-sejour filing (300 EUR Paris reference). Confirm locally.

Question 10

Short assignment or long sejour - which work filing?

Accepted Answer

Short assignments use court sejour (Paris: 80 EUR for 1-30 days, 160 EUR for 30-45 days); assignments of 45-90 days use long sejour (Paris: 300 EUR). Confirm the band with the post since France Diplomatie also describes moyen (2-3 months) and long (+3 months) bands.

Question 11

What is extra for journalists on assignment?

Accepted Answer

Journalists must add press accreditation (accreditation pour les journalistes). Confirm any additional media clearance with the embassy before travel.

Question 12

Can I work on a business (Affaires) visa?

Accepted Answer

No. The business Affaires route covers meetings and missions only. Paid work uses the Travail motif with work evidence.

United States of America → Central African Republic: do you need a visa?

Visa required

Tourist Visa (Court Sejour - Vacances)

Documents

FAQ

Related checks